Under the blazing floodlights of Beijing’s China Open, where the humid air clung like a second skin, Emma Raducanu battled world No. 1 Jessica Pegula in a clash that crackled with intensity. The 22-year-old Brit, her eyes fierce with determination, turned a sweltering October night into a showcase of raw talent and unyielding spirit. Down a set, she roared back, forcing a second-set tiebreak and seizing three match points in a gripping decider. The Beijing crowd, a vibrant mosaic of cheers and waving flags, hung on every blistering forehand, every deft drop shot, as Raducanu’s fluid movement defied the match’s grueling toll. But Pegula, battle-scarred from captaining the U.S. to Billie Jean King Cup glory days earlier, summoned a champion’s resolve, saving each match point and surging to a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-0 victory. For Raducanu, it was a bitter echo of her Korea Open heartbreak, where she’d squandered two match points against Barbora Krejcikova in a draining 4-6, 7-6(10), 6-1 defeat. Yet, beneath these near-misses, a transformation is taking shape—one that’s turning heads across the tennis world.
CoCo Vandeweghe, the former world No. 9 and two-time Grand Slam doubles finalist, has seen the shift up close. Now a perceptive analyst on the Inside-In Tennis Podcast, the American didn’t hold back her admiration for Raducanu’s evolution under her new coach, Francisco Roig. “I think it’s challenging to play in Asia with the conditions,” Vandeweghe said, nodding to the punishing humidity and jet lag that test even the toughest competitors. “And we’re seeing some players relish those, one of them being Raducanu.” Her words carry weight; Vandeweghe, who once stood toe-to-toe with the tour’s elite, knows the grind of chasing consistency in a sport that demands it. What’s caught her eye is Raducanu’s newfound steadiness, a stark departure from the flashes of brilliance that defined her past but often flickered out under pressure.
The catalyst? Francisco Roig, the Spanish coach whose résumé includes shaping Rafael Nadal’s early career. Joining Raducanu’s team in August 2025, just before the US Open, Roig brought a meticulous eye for technical detail and a blueprint for mental fortitude. For a player whose post-2021 US Open journey has been a gauntlet of injuries—ankle surgeries, a nagging back issue—and coaching carousel (Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Mark Petchey), Roig’s arrival feels like a perfect fit. His Nadal-honed philosophy, blending relentless footwork drills with strategic depth, has sharpened Raducanu’s explosive baseline game. “I’m impressed with Emma Raducanu with the new team and the new coach she has with what she’s been able to do in terms of pushing top players more consistently,” Vandeweghe enthused. “She’s actually playing more consistent tennis.” It’s high praise for a player who, just a year ago, was sidelined by injuries and scrambling to rediscover her spark.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a tale of resurgence. A third-round run at the Australian Open saw her trade blows with Iga Swiatek, falling in straight sets but pushing the world No. 1 to her limits. Indian Wells brought a quarterfinal berth, her serve finding new venom and her backhand slicing with precision. Now, in Asia, she’s gone toe-to-toe with the elite, her world ranking climbing to 32nd. The Beijing thriller against Pegula wasn’t just a loss—it was a statement. Raducanu’s court coverage, once hampered by physical setbacks, now feels instinctive; her serve, a former liability, crackles with intent. Vandeweghe sees a bigger picture unfolding: “So that’s going to be a good storyline in Australia, to see how she can perform when she’s worked with the new coach,” she said, her excitement palpable.
Raducanu’s story has always been one of dazzling highs and harsh realities. At 18, she stunned the world, storming through the 2021 US Open as a qualifier to become the first British woman in 45 years to claim a Grand Slam. The fairy tale brought fame but also scrutiny; injuries and the pressure to repeat that magic tested her resolve. She’s been open about the mental toll, the whispers of burnout that shadowed her 2024 season. Yet, at 22, Raducanu is rewriting her script. Roig’s influence—rooted in building champions through discipline and adaptability—has unlocked a steadier, more strategic player, one who pairs her natural flair with a growing sense of purpose.
As the Asian swing fades, Raducanu’s eyes are fixed on the Wuhan Open, the final WTA 1000 event of 2025, set to ignite Hubei’s courts on October 6. With no ranking points to defend from last year’s injury-enforced absence, every win is a springboard—potentially vaulting her into the top 25 and securing a seeded spot at the 2026 Australian Open. Picture it: Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, bathed in summer sun, Raducanu striding out with newfound confidence, Beijing’s lessons fueling her fire. Vandeweghe’s endorsement isn’t mere hype—it’s a nod to the grit that’s always simmered beneath Raducanu’s surface. Pegula’s comeback stole the headlines, but Raducanu’s refusal to fade quietly stole the narrative. With Roig’s guidance and believers like Vandeweghe in her corner, the Brit isn’t just back—she’s building toward something monumental. The slams of 2026 might just herald the return of a star reborn.
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